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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NW Today: Store owner, 89, swats robber with golf club

Associated Press
MOSES LAKE — An 89-year-old Washington state storekeeper says she swatted at a sword-wielding robber with a golf club after he pushed her to the ground. Miyo Koba’s son says she was not hurt in the weekend scuffle in Moses Lake, according to news reports. Police recovered the cash register taken Sunday from Frank’s Superette. Police say the intruder was armed with a 3-foot-long sword and rode away on a BMX bike. Koba said the robber ordered his mother to open the till and she refused. Koba says she was pushed as he fled and she fell down. She then grabbed a golf club that was behind the counter and tried to swing at his head. She couldn’t reach, so she says she settled for hitting his legs. Police are still searching for the man.

‘The Weed Fairy’ visits Seattle, gives out pot
SEATTLE — A woman known as “The Weed Fairy” distributed free nuggets of marijuana to people in Seattle over Memorial Day weekend, taping the free pot on flyers around a city neighborhood. The woman, 23-year-old Yeni Sleidi, says does it to amuse people and to give them a break from everyday stress. She says the idea came to her during the government shutdown when many of her friends were stressed. Her flyers that said “these are tough times. Take this weed. & keep your spirits high.” Sleidi said she felt comfortable attaching her name to her deeds in Seattle because recreational marijuana has been legalized in Washington state.

Seattle City Council considers $15 minimum wage
SEATTLE — A Seattle City Council committee on Thursday will continue deliberation on a proposal to increase the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Mayor Ed Murray has proposed a phase-in of the wage increase over several years, with a slower process for small businesses. The plan gives businesses with more than 500 employees nationally at least three years to phase in the increase. Those providing health insurance will have four years to complete the move. Smaller organizations will be given seven years, including a consideration for tips and health-care costs over the first five years of the phase-in. Business groups are pushing for changes to an agreement forged by business, labor and government officials. And labor organizations are not happy with the proposed changes including provisions for a training wage.

N. Idaho man sentenced for stabbing estranged wife
SANDPOINT — A North Idaho man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for breaking into his estranged wife’s house and stabbing her several times. The Bonner County Daily Bee reports that 61-year-old James Leverne Carlton received the sentence late last week in 1st District Court after pleading guilty to attempted murder. Judge Barbara Buchanan ordered Carlton to serve at least five years before he is eligible for parole.

Former Washington employee accused of theft
SEATTLE — The Washington attorney general’s office has filed charges against a former state employee accused of using confidential state databases to commit identity theft and steal unclaimed property. The state charged Timothy Darrell Fultz on Wednesday with multiple counts of theft, money laundering and computer trespass. He is accused of taking more than $150,000 in unclaimed property through the Department of Revenue’s ClaimYourCash.org website. He is also charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm connected with an out-of-state felony burglary conviction in 1989. The state filed the charges in King County Superior Court. The Renton man is scheduled to be arraigned on June 11.